Takeaways: Meta starts testing Meta Verified, a subscription service that'll let you have verification badges on Instagram and Facebook with support options on the platform. The service is currently only available in Australia and New Zealand.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a verified subscription service for both platforms. The new feature is similar to Twitter Blue, a paid verification service from Twitter that provides users exclusive features, such as undoing tweets and bookmarking, and a verified badge. However, Meta’s subscription service aims to provide more than just additional features.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg shared the update on Facebook, saying Meta Verified accounts will enable users to obtain a verified badge for their accounts, increasing their visibility on the platform, offering priority customer support, and providing more impersonation protection. The service will cost $11.99 monthly on the web and $14.99 monthly on mobile. It is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand this week and will be available in other countries soon.
To become Meta Verified, users must meet minimum activity requirements and submit a government ID that matches their name and photo on Facebook or Instagram. The subscription service will not make any changes to accounts that have been verified using the company’s previous requirements, including notability and authenticity.
With Meta Verified, you’ll get:
- A verified badge, confirming you’re the real you and that your account has been authenticated with a government ID.
- More protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target people with growing online audiences.
- Help when you need it with access to a real person for common account issues.
- Increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas of the platform– like search, comments and recommendations.
- Exclusive features to express yourself in unique ways.
Also read: Twitter to introduce a more expensive ad-free subscription
In addition to the verified badge, Meta Verified subscribers would also receive exclusive stickers for their Stories and Reels, 100 free stars per month, and more. It is worth noting that businesses cannot yet apply for a Meta Verified badge, and users cannot change their profile name, username, birthday, or profile photo without going through the verification process all over again.
Meta has stated that it wants to create a “valuable subscription service” for everyone, including creators, businesses, and the wider community. In a blog post, the company said it aims to expand access to verification and make it easier for users to trust that the accounts they interact with are authentic.
Also read: Twitter to charge $1,000 for Gold verification badges
When the service launches in Australia and New Zealand this week, it will cost $19.99 AUD on web and $24.99 AUD on mobile, or $23.99 NZD on web and $29.99 NZD on mobile. The higher cost on iOS and Android is likely due to the commission both Apple and Google take on in-app purchases.
Meta’s new subscription service aims to increase authenticity and security across its platforms. The verification process requires users to submit a government ID, which may help prevent the creation of fake accounts. While the service shares similarities with Twitter Blue, Meta Verified offers additional safeguards against fake accounts and impersonation protection, although it remains to be seen how effective these will be. While Meta will start rolling out the paid subscription to other countries soon, the memes are already rolling out. Here’s one:
